Abstract
26 human fetal (8-23 weeks) and 19 live born (24-41 weeks) lungs were examined for the presence of serotonin by immunocytochemistry using horseradish peroxidase bridging technique. Solitary intraepthelial neuroendocrine cells (NEs) and cell clusters (NEBs) were found in developing distal conducting airways as early as 10 weeks gestation and 6/8 first trimester fetal lungs were positive. By 14 weeks gestation many stained NEs and NEBs were present in future bronchi, bronchioles and alveolar ducts. As alveolarization occurred (18-22 weeks) the presence of stained cells at the terminal portion of alveolar ducts in close proximity to invading capillaries was striking and 16/18 second trimester fetal lungs contained many I-R stained cells and cell clusters. After terminal airway differentiation progressed toward term the total number of stained cells appeared to decrease dramatically. 14/19 newborn infants showed few stained cells. Although stained cells were difficult to find in the presence of acute neonatal lung disease, such as HMD, as conducting airway epithelial regeneration occurred with recapitulation of capillary invasion, positively stained NE and NEBs reappeared. This pattern of cells positively stained for I-R serotonin is in contrast to that of both I-R bombesin and I-R calcitonin in the fetal lung. The location of I-R serotonin stained cells at areas of capillary invasion is also more prominent than that of I-R bombesin or I-R calcitonin. It is suggested that serotonin might play a role in the vascularization of terminal airways. Supported by NIH grant HL 14214.
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Stahlman, M., Gray, M. & Kasselberg, A. IMMUNOREACTIVE (I-R) SEROTONIN IN THE DEVELOPING HUMAN LUNG. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 406 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01877
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01877